School Board Member

The Honorable Vice Chairman Costella B. Williams, a native of Prince George County, Virginia, was elected to Portsmouth City School Board on May 6, 2008. She is a graduate of Prince George County High School and holds a B.S. degree in Business Administration (1973) from Virginia State University. Costella retired as a Supervisor from the City or Portsmouth, Behavioral Healthcare Services June 30, 2015, after 31 years of dedicated and exemplary service. Community Organizations/affiliations past and present are: Portsmouth Schools Foundation, Her Shelter, Local Human Rights Commission, The Optimist Club, Crime Line Board of Directors, Board Member CASA Advocate for Juveniles, Virginia School Board Association, National School Board Association, Tidewater Regional Nominating Chair, Member Council of Urban Education, Member Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership Steering Committee, Past President Portsmouth Jack and Jill of America, Inc., Past President Portsmouth Chapter of The Moles, Arts Facet Chairman - The Portsmouth Links, Incorporated, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., an active member and leader at Grove Baptist Church, Portsmouth. Costella was named Distinguished Mother for the Mid-Atlantic Region of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. She received The Dr. Hugo Owens Alpha Phi Alpha Humanitarian Award, Educational Leadership Award from Church and Community In Action, Recipient of Girls, Inc. Smart, Strong, Bold Women's Award. Married to Junius H. Williams, Jr., Senior Policy Advisor, Dominion Virginia Power, they are proud parents of two daughters, Tiffani Staton (Diamond) and Angela Williams. Two granddaughters Gabrielle and Alisia Staton. Costella continues her promise to do for your children what she wants done for her own. She is committed to excellence in education.

*School Board members are individually elected by a vote of eligible citizens. Individual members have no authority or duties except as may be assigned to them by the School Board as a whole. Information provided in the School Board member biographies is provided by the member and does not necessarily represent the position of Portsmouth Public Schools or the School Board as a whole.